NIBONG TEBAL: Form Six students will receive a total RM2,500 living allowance from next year, with payments disbursed in stages over three semesters.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said the assistance would be channelled during the first semester after student registration was completed.
She said the allowance was part of the 2027 Budget, with each eligible student receiving the total amount throughout their three-semester pre-university programme.
"Once registration for all Form Six students is completed, we will provide the assistance during their first semester.
"They will start receiving the allowance in the first semester next year," she told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the Jelajah Negaraku: Aku Kasih Malaysia programme at Taman Widuri today.
Fadhlina, who is also the Nibong Tebal member of parliament, said the initiative reflected the government's commitment to providing students with better support for their studies.
She said the assistance was also expected to improve the quality of Form Six education, particularly the performance of students sitting for the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination.
"We are pleased with the Budget announcement as one of our aspirations is to ensure Form Six students receive adequate support in their studies and to improve the quality of STPM," she said.
Under the 2027 Budget, the government agreed to provide the RM2,500 living allowance to about 90,000 Form Six students nationwide.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said the initiative was aimed at safeguarding the welfare of pre-university students.
The allowance also brings financial assistance for Form Six students in line with the rate received by matriculation students, supporting greater equity in financial aid for pre-university education.
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